This tiny owl is endemic to western Mexico. It occurs in pine and semi-deciduous forests and is also reported from coffee plantations.
It is about 15–16.5 cm long, with a rounded head without ear tufts and a short tail. The brown crown and nape have white spots, the pale underparts are streaked brown, and the eyes are yellow. The sexes look similar.
It may be active during the day as well as at other times. It nests in tree cavities, sometimes ones previously excavated by woodpeckers.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.